New facilities designed to prepare students for their future careers in creative digital industries are now officially open.
Stakeholders and special guests were invited to HSDC Alton last week for the official opening of our fantastic new Gaming & Creative Digital Studios.
Damian Hinds, MP for East Hampshire, declared the space officially open after guests took tours to see the 10 classrooms and collaborative spaces, featuring 48 high-end PCs alongside 64 Dell Alienware gaming PCs.
This project has been successful thanks to an investment of £1.25m supported by the Enterprise M3 Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), and visitors included their Gaming Industry Specialist Sam Read who has helped HSDC to develop these studios to reflect real-life workspaces of people working in digital industries.
Principal Mike Gaston and Sam Read with the plaque in the new facility at HSDC Alton
Principal Mike Gaston said:
“I’m delighted that, with the support of the Enterprise M3 LEP, we are in the vanguard of developing education in the digital and gaming industries, a vibrant and expanding sector which offers countless opportunities for young people.
“We are immensely proud of these new facilities, which will not only help students to get the most out of their time at HSDC, but will also prepare them for their future careers by providing an environment for learning which reflects the workplaces of these future digital professionals.”
These modern facilities will house students on our Level 2 and Level 3 Creative Media Production and T Level Digital : IT Production, Design & Development courses.
In September 2022, students enrolling on our Level 3 Esports course launching next year will also be taught in this space, using the Gaming Studios and the Dell Alienware high-end gaming PCs.
Paul Carter, Assistant Principal Vocational Curriculum, said:
“The Gaming & Creative Digital Studios have allowed students to work and learn in a professional industry-standard space. This facility will allow them to prepare for their careers in the exciting gaming and creative digital sector. The design, layout and high-end facilities will support digital skills development and collaborative working.”
HSDC student James Kemshall shows Mike Gaston and Damian Hinds what he is learning
HSDC staff and governors were joined by stakeholders from Peter Marsh Consulting, Overbury and Rock Townsend, as well as Hampshire County Council and the Education and Skills Funding Agency.
First-year Games Design & Development students were delighted to show the visitors what they were working on, showcasing their skills after just a few weeks of lessons.
After the tours, Principal Mike Gaston challenged Damian Hinds MP to a game of Rocket League on Xbox to properly test out the College facilities! Visit our course finder to learn more about studying these creative courses with us.